Which kind of birth control is right for you is a very personal decision. Your doctor will be able to offer the best possible advice, but ultimately the decision depends on you and your individual situation. We believe that one of the best ways to help our patients make decisions about contraception is to provide ample education on the types of birth control offered at PGOMG, including which type works best for particular lifestyles and family planning goals. Below is an overview on your contraceptive options at PGOMG:
- “The Pill”
Birth control pills are one of the most popular forms of contraception. The pill usually combines the hormones estrogen and progesterone to prevent pregnancy. If taken correctly, birth control pills are a highly effective form of birth control. Patients should note that the pill will not protect against STDs, so an additional form of contraception, such as condoms, will be needed. The pill is taken once a day and you can talk to your doctor about how often you will menstruate while on the pill.
- Nexplanon
Nexplanon, or the birth control implant, is a very convenient form of contraception. The implant (about the size of a matchstick) is inserted into the patient’s upper arm by a trained PGOMG provider. Nexplanon uses the hormone progestin to prevent pregnancy and can last for up to three years. It is 99% effective and many women find that Nexplanon can be a more advantageous form of contraception than the pill because it does not require a daily routine that the patient would need to remember.
- Mirena IUI
An IUI is an intrauterine device and it is placed into a woman’s uterus by a PGOMG provider. The device is small and t-shaped. The Mirena IUI uses the hormone progestin and releases into the uterus to prevent a pregnancy. Similar to Nexplanon, many women find the Mirena IUI to be highly convenient as it does not require a daily routine and can last for up to five years. Should you choose to start a family while using the Mirena IUD, your PGOMG provider can remove the device and you can try for a pregnancy then.
For women who are interested in long term or permanent birth control, we invite you to visit our family planning page and review the section on sterilization.
If you would like to discuss your birth control options with your PGOMG provider, please schedule an appointment today.
